2.12.17

Twitter has explaned why it did not delete the three graphic anti-Muslim videos retweeted by President Donald Trump

"we mistakenly pointed to the wrong reason we didn't take action on the videos from earlier this week," Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in a tweet on Friday.

On Thursday, Trump retweeted three anti-Muslim videos first shared by Jayda Fransen, deputy
leader of the far-right party, Britain First. Trump's retweets drew
condemnation from Muslim groups, British officials and many in the U.S.
The White House defended the tweets, saying they were aimed at starting a
conversation about immigration and security. The videos contained
violent assaults and graphic imagery.

Many Twitter users criticized the company for not deleting the
tweets, saying they appeared to violate the company's policy that
prohibits hateful conduct.

In response to questions on Thursday regarding why the tweets were
still available, a Twitter (TWTR, Tech30) spokesperson referenced the
company's Help Center policy. It says Twitter may allow controversial
content that might otherwise violate its rules if the company believes
there is a legitimate public interest. "To help ensure people have an
opportunity to see every side of an issue, there may be the rare
occasion when we allow controversial content," the policy reads.

But one day later, Twitter changed its explanation. "These videos are
not being kept up because they are newsworthy or for public interest.
Rather, these videos are permitted on Twitter based on our current media
policy" Twitter Support tweeted on Friday. It did not say which part
of the policy the tweets were protected under.